“How Do I Find Good Art?”

This question was recently posed to me by an art client who had just bought a painting.  If you have a question for me, chances are you aren't the only person asking it, and so I share my reply:

Hi ____,

Great question - I love that you asked this.

It gave me a chance to think about an answer - and first off - to acknowledge that it is very difficult for me to find new artwork, being made today, that is really interesting to me, and that I can potentially afford to buy.

I am assuming that is what you mean by, “good”.  Obviously, I’m going to have a certain kind of artwork that is attractive to me, that I’m interested in, and that will be different for everyone!

That being said… if you are keen at all on the kind of work that I make, it’s likely you may be interested in some of the work of two of my really good friends, also artists, and I have tremendous respect for an interest in their artwork.

So, this is a two-part answer: the first part is a fairly straightforward recommendation to check out two of my favorite artists, artists whose work I own, and the second part is a general guide for discovering new artwork you love.

Their names are Maxwell Forrest Roath and Paul Rosiak.  I own a bunch of both of their work, and am always reinvesting to buy more.  Here is a link to Max’s site, and also a permanent link to the email I sent about his work.  Here is a link to Paul’s current Holiday catalog, and to his website.  On a bit of a higher level / higher price point, I am also a huge fan of Anthony J. Ryder (one of my longtime artistic mentors) and Gary Faigin (who was my first instructor for figure drawing when I was thirteen).

Ok, onto the second, more challenging answer.  It takes a lot for me to discover new artwork I love.  I pay attention to the student and instructor work coming out of Gage Academy of Art in Seattle, as well as some of the work coming from Grand Central Atelier in NYC, as well as Studio Incamminati in Phila.  Following or paying attention to institutions is a great starting place because you’ll be exposed to similar work aligned with those institutional values.

Also - any kind of art walk, first Thursday, art fair, arts and crafts fair, gallery show opening, basically anything that is free to attend, and will have a variety of makers, artists, craftspeople, etc etc.  If you see something you like - try to make a point of following that specific person’s career / work - which brings me back around to my first point - at this point I have a few specific artists I love, and I love buying their work!

I hope this helps.  It is challenging to find good art - not impossible - the more you get out the door to go to places and events where artists are, the easier it becomes!

Cheers,

David